As Yun Ming's heart was beating in pain of losing money, he gripped onto the jade slip with his right hand, causing his pupils to dilate.
His right hand was the one that held the Touch of Omniscience in his previous life, and when his right hand touched the jade slip, his mind began to be filled with strange knowledge about cultivation and cultivation techniques, causing him to let go of the jade slip and hold his head in pain.
I still kept the Touch of Omniscience? How is that possible? Ugh, my head is pounding. My mind can't take in all this information at once. Yun Ming grimaced in pain, and took in a deep breath to calm his throbbing forehead.
His superpowers might be strong, but it's not all powerful and has its weakness.
That weakness being his brain.
Though that isn't really the fault of the superpower, but his own problem. He's the one holding it back, which leads to countless problems in his past life. A superpower that could understand everything it touched would naturally be trained, but his brain and body was the problem.
What military would want a super genius with zero combat ability compared to other superpowers?
He can touch a weapon and understand how it's made, but not how to use it. He can touch paper that explains how to fight, but his body hasn't adapted yet. And what if the information on the paper is wrong? Well, his Touch of Omniscience can actually filter those parts out, which is great when it comes to documents.
Then again, zero combat ability.
But in a world of Immortals who gain power by seeking knowledge…
Yun Ming calmed his restless heart, and shifted through the information on the jade slip. There were only three techniques on the jade slip; Cloud Meditation, Understanding of Water, and Breath of the Heart.
These were all auxiliary techniques, but helped build one's foundation. Well, that's what Yun Ming has understood at least.
But why are there no combat techniques? Yun Ming frowned as he thought.
He didn't think the Immortal purposefully didn't give him a combat technique, and there must be a greater reasoning behind it, and the current him just didn't understand.
Well, whatever. Can this be seen as a novice gift? Ignoring the fact I kept my superpowers. Yun Ming thought.
I'll try to understand them later, probably at night is the best. First, let me ask Shu Ling about the jade slip, and hopefully no one has seen it but him. Actually, now that I think about it, it shouldn't matter. The Immortal should've given them a warning, since there are security measures in place.
Yun Ming knew that only he could view this content thanks to the Touch of Omniscience, but it's still better to make sure only Shu Ling knows about this.
As Yun Ming rested, it took an hour longer than Lulu's estimate for Shu Ling to arrive.
It was only when he heard the clanking noise of his metal boots did he realize he had arrived, and quickly got out of his dazed state to greet Shu Ling.
"Boss Shu, you're here."
"It seems that your recovery is going smoothly." Shu Ling said, standing by the door.
He wore a thick black coat with yellow baggy pants, and was constantly rubbing his hands for warmth.
The temperature in Great Wood town during the winter drops down to a brutal thirty degrees Celsius, so weary heavy clothes were a necessity.
"It's all thanks to you for finding Immortal Xu to save me. If not, I'd be a dead man right now." Yun Ming said with a wry smile.
"Don't sweat it kid. I also benefited from having an immortal coming to my clinic. Once the knees spread across the town, more people will flock to my clinic, even if the immortal never appears again." Shu Ling shook his head, and looked at the jade slip on Yun Ming's body.
"It seems you have touched the gift given by lord Immortal Xu."
Lord Immortal Xu? Is that the Immortal's surname? Yun Ming thought, and nodded his head at Shu Ling.
"Yes boss Shu. Was there anyone else in the room when lord Immortal Xu was treating me?" Yun Ming asked, trying to sound polite.
Shu Ling chuckled and waved his hand, "Don't worry, only I was in the room. I have no idea of snatching karma given by an Immortal, and like I said, my clinic has been flourishing recently thanks to the Immortal's appearance."
"Sorry boss Shu, if I didn't ask, my consciousness wouldn't be able to rest."
"I know, I know. Although the world is a lot more peaceful compared to the past, people will always try to take shortcuts in life, whether that be an Immortal or a mortal."
"Boss Shu, you seem to know a lot about the Immortals."
"Hmm, Yun Ming, your opportunity couldn't be said to be rare as it's quite normal for Immortals to build karma with those with talents, but for a normal town boy, this opportunity changed from rare to legendary. It's a life changing opportunity to anyone in this town who wants to join one of the top sect's of this world. I was also such a person, but luck didn't favour me, and could barely understand what the Immortals preached about."
Shu Ling sighed, and his eyes became cloudy. He learned his body against the ball, and took a deep look at Yun Ming.
"Immortals try to find the meaning in everything. Whether that be love, hatred, or even the fine grass you find everywhere in the world. When I tried to become an Immortal, my heart was set on understanding the path of love, but… Well, you can see what happened." Shu Ling shook his head and let out a deprecating laugh.
"Follow a path?" Yun Ming muttered.
"Hey, kid. Can't you pay attention to the sob part of my story." Shu Ling complained, and rolled his eyes.
"Boss Shu. Since you built this clinic, could it be because your lover died?" Yun Ming asked a bold question.
"You dare to say it?" Shu Ling gave him a glare, but nodded his head.
"My understanding of love turned into understanding loss. The problem isn't the fact I now have two different understandings, but the fact that these two understandings block my way from understanding other arts." Shu Ling said.
"Boss Shu, I'm not sure I understand the whole path thing. Why must you follow a vague path like love?" Yun Ming asked.
This question has made him confused since he began to talk about immortals. Lord Xu didn't give him any path. Well, that's not entirely true. He did give him an understanding of water, but it didn't seem like the path Shu Ling mentioned.
When Shu Ling heard Yun Ming question, he fell silent for a moment, and then finally spoke, "Because of talent."
"Because of talent?"
"Yes, Immortals explore all ways of heaven, while us at the bottom explore one way of heaven. The path concept was introduced by a fellow untalented commoner who wanted to go down the path of immortality, so he created the path method. The path method is almost like professions in the mortal world, but a lot more one way. For example, as a doctor, you must understand how to treat all injuries, but if you follow a path, you'd only focus on one injury."
"For me, I focused on passion in love, but when I understood loss could also bring passion, I used up all of my talent. If I could push it just a little bit further, I'd be a tier one Immortal."
Hearing that Shu Ling could be a tier one Immortal made Yun Ming raise his brow slightly. If others heard this, they'd all look at Shu Ling with envy, but Yun Ming in his past life has talked to people who could literally destroy a country, and a tier one Immortal doesn't sound that strong.
"Boss Shu, I didn't know you were so capable. You really know how to hide from your imployes." Yun Ming joked.
"Kid, not being able to become a tier one Immortal is more of a shame than a brag." Shu Ling smiled wryly.
"One's own accomplishments should not be looked down on, and should be proud of pushing themselves to their limits." Yun Ming said, remembering his previous life trying to obtain higher power.
"Huh?" Shu Ling choked and looked at Yun Ming like he was an old monster, "Yun Ming, when did you get so philosophical? I don't remember hiring an old man hiding in a child's body."
"Boss Shu, everyone changes after experiencing death, don't they?" Yun Ming asked back.
"... They do."